US1646082A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

Oct i 18,

Filed Ja'n. 28, 1927 Patented Oct. w18, 1927.

UNITED *STAT-'E5 'PATENTJ- FRANK L. BAILEY, or NEW BRUNsWicL'NEW JERSEY, AssiGNor. 'ro '.ionNsoN a n,

JOHNSON, or' NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, A coRroiaai'rioN or NEWJERSEY.

TOOTHBRUSH.

A YM invention relates to tooth brushes and its objects are to improve upon the construction and'to increase the efficiency of tooth brushes. f

In one aspect the nature of the invention consists in so constructing and n'iounting the bristles as to provide for eflicient functioning of the brush in regions dillicultly ac- `cessible to the ordinary brush, namely, behind the third molar teeth and under bridgesand especially'between the teeth and cheeks in the molar regions where the buccal space is narrow.

In another aspect, the nature of the 1nyvention consists in providing a brush head calculated tov cooperate with a brush ofthe character stated and having a tapered handle of circular cross-section and whereof the end is chambered lto constitute a flossfont. Y

In another aspect the invention consists in providing a refill of dental floss, the floss being threaded through a novel form of cutoff and closure member which is interchangeably tted to the original package or container for the floss and to the flossfont of the handle, thus providing for replenish ment of the flossfont without the necessity of re-threading or otherwise touching the floss.

The invention in its preferred form is illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein Figure-1 is a perspective view of my 1mproved tooth brush. i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the receptacle end of the handle.

Fig. 3 is a perspective viewk of the handle with the floss and cap in detached relation.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a capped or sealed original floss container.

Fig. 5 is a similar view with the cap in detached relation.

Fig. 6 is an inside view of the interchangeable cap; and f y Fig. 7 is a view of a modification.

According to my, invention, I provide a solid or one-piece handle 5v of generally tool handle form that is to say of tapered or cone form, round in cross-section, whereof one end is ilat to constitute a brush head 6 and whereof the other end is hollow to constitute a receptacle or liossfont?. The brush head is equipped with tufts of bristles whereof the vpilot bristles 8 have squared or flat ends and whereof the immediately adja# Application flied ianua'ryas, 1927.y sel-iai N6; 164,316.

Vcent bristles 9? have theirfends sharply inclined rearwardly, the-remaining bristles 10 being trimmed'to provide the usual forward inclination. The purpose and merit of this construction yand arrangement is that it.l enables the userto getfbeliind thethirdinolar teeth and under bridges, etc. While the pilot tuft is thus afforded desirable rolling action, it is not so long with relation tothe bristles 9 that it will flatten down when operating between the teeth and the cheek in the molar region wherey the buccal space is narrow.

The receptacle end ofthe'handle is provided with a'threaded neck 11 to accommodate a cap 12 and it is a merit of the invention that the cap is interchangeably fitted to an original floss container such as a glass vial or bottle 13, Figs. 4 and 5. The motive of the interchangeable feature of the cap is to avoid casual contact of the person with the lossand to insure a dry environment for the floss. In the advancement of this thought, the cap is constructed and arranged 'as a suspension element for a floss quill 14,

the cap being provided with an eye 15 through which the free end 16 of the floss is threaded.y At a point diametrically opposite the eye 16, the cup has a struck-up portion 17, which constitutes a stay for the lioss and also as a means of severing the same. Within the cup and bearing against the head thereof is a rubber washer'18, which lfunctions alternatively to prevent the ingress of water to the original floss container or to lthe receptacle of the brush. The washer is apertured as at 19 for the passage of the floss and its binding action serves to put ten sion on the floss.

The neck portion of the handle .is stopped by an annular ,projectionV or enlargement 20 whereof one side is sloped and vanishes in the body of the handle and whereof the other side provides a fiat shoulder to seat the end of the ca The cappe end of the handle may be further safeguarded against the ingress of moisture to the floss chamber by, for example, theprovision of sealing means, as in Fig. 7. In that embodiment, the handle is formed or provided withy an additional shoulder 21, to seat an external cap 22. The Y latter may have a friction fit or be screw threaded, as shown, and its merit is that with a bail 23, affords a convenient means of suspending the toothbrush.

Having described rny invention, I elaini:

1.,A,tooth brush asse1nbly,eornprisng a tooth wbrush having a conferous handle formed With an integral flossfont having an externally threaded neck portion stoppeduby a flange whereof one side provides a flat shoulder for a closure and whereof ythe other side slopes into the body of the handle, andv an externally threaded neck portion stopped by a flange whereof one side provides av flat shoulder for a closure and whereof the other side slopes into the body of the handle, a refill for the flossfont having a Cap constituting a floss-suspension element and adaptedto fit said neck portion, and a Washer operating to seal the floss receptacle and also to put tension on the floss.

3. A tooth brush of the flossfont type, having a floss-carrying inner seal, and havingV an outer seal telesooping the inner seal and equipped With a bail.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK L. n-Artrn.`

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